FIELD GUIDE TO AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE

Fig. 3 Closeup of coconut palm showing cloth-like material at the base of the leaves, called "rugsy" in the southern coastal village of Placencia.

Fig. 4 Sprouting coconut showing root coming out of the husk at the bottom and the sprout coming out of one of the eyes. The young shoots are edible and are locally called "fogoyo".

Fig. 5 Interior view of a sprouting coconut ("growing", highly edible), illustrating the spongy, congealed milk, the root growing out the bottom of the nut and the sprouting leaves growing out of an eye.

Fig. 6 Extensive shallow root system of a fallen coconut tree. This area is locally called Mar Tumba (means where the waves tumble) Ensenada (small bay). It sits opposite a cut in the reef and is undergoing severe beach erosion.

Fig. 7 Dying coconut tree, victim of the coconut beetle (locally called 'lei bug") nematode. These parasites kill quite a few trees every year. A large black beetle 2" long and a clumsy flier, it may be seen at times (see text on the beetle).

Fig. 8 Salt water palmetto, note palmate (hand like) leaves at the arrow. Small palm leaf is called "chit".